Post-conceptual and schematic design, during design development, pre-construction documents and entire construction phase
Objective(s):
[_] Analyze the design and examine different "means and methods" for construction [_] Review and check buildability: code compliance, value engineering, schedule and quality [_] Logistical planning for construction of the building
Description:
Constructability review is a valuable BIM use to review the building model and check for coordination, buildability and bidability. It can be used to enhance existing systems related to construction sequence, equipment access, completed work and assembling difficult components. This can provide additional links between site and design to collaboratively solve constructability problems that may arise during construction.
Constructability can be defined as a review of the building model along with plans and specification to determine constructability of the project and coordinate with other project participants. In this process the building design and buildability is being discussed, different options are considered, design is finalized and communicated to other parties involved (Sanvido, 1990). After have been briefed about project information, context, program and design, the consultants and specialists review the constructability of the design, offer their feedback and suggest changes that would improve the overall design and "means and methods" (Eastman et al., 2007).
Modeling the building in 3D would point to any of the missing information in building certain building components or systems, and the sequence of assembling the components can be easily determined. In this way all the misunderstandings can be cleared out before the construction starts, since all the important design details were clarified. If a particular part of the building has a constructability problem, valuable would be even just to model that part in more detail then to have the whole building fully detailed (Ganah et al., 2005).
Constructability problems are usually caused by insufficient information on building components and their assembly provided to the project team by the designer or misinterpreted design intent and could be avoided by the proper and organized collaboration between design and construction team using modern visualization and communication tools (Ganah et al., 2005).
Potential Benefits:
Contractors can analyze the design and test various "means and methods"
Ensure design can be built to meet targeted cost and schedule
Expose errors and omissions in design documentation (model)
Recommend alternate solutions while keeping design intent
Use model to stage deliveries to the project
Other potential benefits may include: initial cost estimation, review of layouts, material selection, value engineering
Contractors get introduced to the design early in the process, are able to investigate various "means and methods" of construction and give their input on constructability of the project
Early contractors input ensure the project’s targeted budget and schedule can be met ensuring effective team collaboration
Constructability review can reveal potential errors and omissions in design documents
Alternate solutions can be suggested considering material selection and value engineering keeping the initial design intent but staying under the budget and on schedule
Design visualization aids in understanding the project much better and in more detail, and forces the project team to think about the process differently
Analyze various construction methods and techniques finding potential opportunities to increase efficiency while keeping design intent intact
Communicate the latest design revisions while construction was in progress and increasing safety by reducing rework on the project
Get feedback from subcontractors on their scope of work, constructability and placement of sleeves, embeds and blockouts
Experienced Setbacks:
Convincing consultants and fabricators to come on board with BIM
Incorporating specifications in the model
Levels of Detail Considerations:
Provide appropriate project information regarding the design, its use and context to the specialists to review, and gain feedback/ advice/ changes
Means and methods of construction
Model of temporary facilities and equipment
Cost and time information
Construction sequence animation
May include simulations, studies, reviews and checks
Encourage selective modeling since constantly battling with the model sizes and how to break the model down which makes it difficult to document
Team Competencies Required:
Experience in construction
Knowledge of various "means and methods" of construction
Detailed understanding of cost analysis and impact of various "means and methods"
Good communication skills and ability to collaborate with various specialists and across disciplines
Performing various studies, reviews and simulations during the course of developing the design and checking it for constructability issues
Being technologically savvy, have people skills and being interested in engaging others in BIM work
Characteristics in order to substantiate BIM use:
Project - Complex or repetitive form, materials or sequence, projects requiring a lot of equipment
Organization - BIM software and IT available
Environment - Highly collaborative
Contract - Have modifications in the Means and Methods clause
Process - Design Build and Integrated Project Delivery
Potential Modeling Methods:
Building Information Model in software that provides following information:
3D coordination model, and also 3D CAD model, 3D sketching, VR virtual reality, VRML model for easy manipulation
3D animation for assembling the components, rendered image for visualizing materials and their appearance or any other visualization depending on the project and what information needs to be presented (Ganah et al., 2005)
Cost and business information of building materials, elements and process
Time and sequence
Animation of sequence and construction methods
Sustainability information
Temporary facilities
Equipment
Potential Outputs:
Constructability review as a BIM use can greatly enhance the ability of contractors to get involved in the process early on and provide feedback.
Can help track various information on the project: 3D model, method, time, cost as well as green building and sustainability information.
Legal / Commitment Considerations:
Professional liability issues
Keep in mind that designer in traditional project delivery Design-Bid-Build is usually protected under professional liability insurance with the “Means and Methods” clause:
“The Design Professional shall not have control over or charge of and shall not be responsible for construction means, methods, techniques, sequences or procedures, or for safety precautions and programs in connection with the Work, since these are solely the Contractor's responsibility under the Contract for Construction.The Design Professional shall not be responsible for the Contractor's schedules or failure to carry out the Work in accordance with the Contract Documents. The Design Professional shall not have control over or charge of acts or omissions of the Contractor, Subcontractors, or their agents or employees, or of any other persons performing portions of the Work." (reference missing)
Integrated contractual relationships like design build or IPD integrated project delivery are highly recommended for successful BIM constructability use
Additional Resources:
General Description:
Eastman, C. M., P. Teicholz, et al. (2008). BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling for Owners, Managers, Architects, Engineers, Contractors, and Fabricators, Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons
Ganah, A. A., Bouchlaghen, N.B. & C.J. Anumba (2005). VISCON: Computer Visualization Support for Constructability. ITCON
Campbell, Dace A., M. A. Mortensen Company, Building Information Modeling The Web Application for AEC, April 2007
Interview with: Jonathan Mallie, SHOP Construction, New York (October 3, 2008)
Interview with: Marilia Rodriguez, KTA, Philadelphia (October 9, 2008)
Goal:
Constructability Review
Phase(s):
Post-conceptual and schematic design, during design development, pre-construction documents and entire construction phaseObjective(s):
[_] Analyze the design and examine different "means and methods" for construction[_] Review and check buildability: code compliance, value engineering, schedule and quality
[_] Logistical planning for construction of the building
Description:
Constructability review is a valuable BIM use to review the building model and check for coordination, buildability and bidability. It can be used to enhance existing systems related to construction sequence, equipment access, completed work and assembling difficult components. This can provide additional links between site and design to collaboratively solve constructability problems that may arise during construction.Constructability can be defined as a review of the building model along with plans and specification to determine constructability of the project and coordinate with other project participants. In this process the building design and buildability is being discussed, different options are considered, design is finalized and communicated to other parties involved (Sanvido, 1990). After have been briefed about project information, context, program and design, the consultants and specialists review the constructability of the design, offer their feedback and suggest changes that would improve the overall design and "means and methods" (Eastman et al., 2007).
Modeling the building in 3D would point to any of the missing information in building certain building components or systems, and the sequence of assembling the components can be easily determined. In this way all the misunderstandings can be cleared out before the construction starts, since all the important design details were clarified. If a particular part of the building has a constructability problem, valuable would be even just to model that part in more detail then to have the whole building fully detailed (Ganah et al., 2005).
Constructability problems are usually caused by insufficient information on building components and their assembly provided to the project team by the designer or misinterpreted design intent and could be avoided by the proper and organized collaboration between design and construction team using modern visualization and communication tools (Ganah et al., 2005).
Potential Benefits:
Experienced Setbacks:
Levels of Detail Considerations:
Team Competencies Required:
Characteristics in order to substantiate BIM use:
Potential Modeling Methods:
Building Information Model in software that provides following information:Potential Outputs:
Legal / Commitment Considerations:
- Professional liability issues
- Keep in mind that designer in traditional project delivery Design-Bid-Build is usually protected under professional liability insurance with the “Means and Methods” clause:
“The Design Professional shall not have control over or charge of and shall not be responsible for construction means, methods, techniques, sequences or procedures, or for safety precautions and programs in connection with the Work, since these are solely the Contractor's responsibility under the Contract for Construction.The Design Professional shall not be responsible for the Contractor's schedules or failure to carry out the Work in accordance with the Contract Documents. The Design Professional shall not have control over or charge of acts or omissions of the Contractor, Subcontractors, or their agents or employees, or of any other persons performing portions of the Work." (reference missing)Additional Resources:
General Description:
Quantitative Studies:
Not availableCase Study Examples:
GM Flint, Michigan - Ghafari Associates (Eastman et al., 2008) websiteSan Francisco federal Buildling - Morphosis
Benjamin D. Hall Interdisciplinary Research Building, University of Washington
FIT A-Lab, New York, SHOP Construction
Software Applications:
NavisWorksBentley Navigator, Bentley Triforma
Revit Architecture
VICO Constructor
Autodesk Design Review
DProfiler - preliminary cost estimate
Digital Project CATIA
Tekla XSteel